Magic Kingdom opening show, Main Street, and EMH

[kpd6901]

Hi fellow DISBoarders!
Need some help. Visiting WDW Nov. 22- Dec 2. Our last visit was in 2015 when the opening show was by the train station. We were not able to see the show last time, so we want to be sure that we do this time. I know the show is at the hub now and that Main Street is open prior to the show now, but that leaves me with timing questions. I've read the tips and maps about where to go for RD rides, if needed, so I don't really need that stuff.

We will have 3 MK mornings throughout our trip (my parents are coming along, and will only have 2 mornings). Based on our schedules of those two days, Nov. 23 and Nov. 29, MK has EMH (we are all staying on site) on 23, but not on 29. However, on 29, with the park hours currently set for 9am opening, we have an 8:05 BOG breakfast, then doing PPF upon opening. So, to me, it seems like 23 is the best shot for seeing the opening show.

If MK opens at 9 for the GP and 8 for EMH, can I get some help figuring out:
1) when Main Street opens,
2) if Main Street characters and/or entertainers are out at this time,
3) when the opening show would begin?

Keep in mind that on this day, we will almost assuredly not have FP for 7DMT, so the plan is to hit that right at RD. (No FP advance booking window for Nov 22-23 for us since we are splitting our stay and have our PH tickets from Nov 24 FD promo and will activate them early...but that means that most of the popular FP will most likely be already gone at that point. Might get lucky but planning without FP for that day).

Our third day is Nov. 30, with EMH, but that would be our Adventureland/Frontierland day. We could either sleep in or easily and obviously do the Main Street and opening show then...however, my parents (their first real trip - no time crunched school trips - in 30 years) will be doing the Yuletide Fantasy Tour that morning and won't be able to be at MK that morning.

TIA!!

 

[Robo]

Hi fellow DISBoarders!
Need some help. Visiting WDW Nov. 22- Dec 2. Our last visit was in 2015 when the opening show was by the train station. We were not able to see the show last time, so we want to be sure that we do this time. I know the show is at the hub now and that Main Street is open prior to the show now, but that leaves me with timing questions. I've read the tips and maps about where to go for RD rides, if needed, so I don't really need that stuff.

We will have 3 MK mornings throughout our trip (my parents are coming along, and will only have 2 mornings). Based on our schedules of those two days, Nov. 23 and Nov. 29, MK has EMH (we are all staying on site) on 23, but not on 29. However, on 29, with the park hours currently set for 9am opening, we have an 8:05 BOG breakfast, then doing PPF upon opening. So, to me, it seems like 23 is the best shot for seeing the opening show.

If MK opens at 9 for the GP and 8 for EMH, can I get some help figuring out:
1) when Main Street opens,
2) if Main Street characters and/or entertainers are out at this time,
3) when the opening show would begin?

Keep in mind that on this day, we will almost assuredly not have FP for 7DMT, so the plan is to hit that right at RD. (No FP advance booking window for Nov 22-23 for us since we are splitting our stay and have our PH tickets from Nov 24 FD promo and will activate them early...but that means that most of the popular FP will most likely be already gone at that point. Might get lucky but planning without FP for that day).

Our third day is Nov. 30, with EMH, but that would be our Adventureland/Frontierland day. We could either sleep in or easily and obviously do the Main Street and opening show then...however, my parents (their first real trip - no time crunched school trips - in 30 years) will be doing the Yuletide Fantasy Tour that morning and won't be able to be at MK that morning.

TIA!!

1) For WDW Resort guests (you) figure about 7:50-ish.
For NON-WDW resort guests, figure about 8:30-ish.
2) Nope.
3) 8:55-ish.

The MK Welcome show on the castle stage is not nearly as "must see" as the one
that used to be at the RR Station.
If you are already riding attractions for MK AM EMH, it is far less than imperative to
come back to the castle stage to see it.

 

[Wish Upon A Starbucks]

In past years MK has changed their hours a few weeks before thanksgiving and opened at 8 am all week. That means EMH move to 7 am in days that is offered. Not sure what will happen this year but I think a 8 am regular opening all thanksgiving week is common so you may want to plan for that for the 23rd.

 

[kpd6901]

In past years MK has changed their hours a few weeks before thanksgiving and opened at 8 am all week. That means EMH move to 7 am in days that is offered. Not sure what will happen this year but I think a 8 am regular opening all thanksgiving week is common so you may want to plan for that for the 23rd.

Does that typically only apply to the week OF Thanksgiving or to the week after as well? Big difference if the 29th also opens at 8 instead of 9, since the BOG breakfast would cut into opening hour in that scenario. We would be hopping to HS in the afternoon and using FP there, using the morning for BOG, riding PPF upon opening, then doing Liberty Square before hopping over around noon.

 

[nduckles]

It can happen at any time. Literally. One reason I don't spend the effort getting a BOG breakfast anymore is because more than once they have suddenly changed the hours, making the PPO breakfast no longer PPO. Frustrating, yes, but nothing to do about it except roll with it. Keep the BOG ADR, absolutely, since you already have it, but be aware that you might need to change your morning plans shortly before your visit if they decide to change hours.

 

[Wish Upon A Starbucks]

My experience has been just the week of thanksgiving so I expect the 29 the will be safe but as mentioned by PP you never know!

 

[Amanda999]

In 2017 MK opened at 8am Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday the week after Thanksgiving week (i.e., November 26 to Dec. 2). Monday and Wednesday opened 9am. (At least according to TouringPlans.) Friday had 7am emh. (Don't quote me - I didn't double check this!)

 

[Robo]

It can happen at any time. Literally. One reason I don't spend the effort getting a BOG breakfast anymore is because more than once they have suddenly changed the hours, making the PPO breakfast no longer PPO.

THIS!

If your priority is riding attractions with the lowest "other guests" count of the day...
and you want breakfast, make the ADR at 10:30AM, or so.

 

[kpd6901]

The ADR was booked bc lunch wasn't available...at the time...for 7 people. When we saw the 9am opening, it simply helped with moving PPF from non-FP day on 23 to 29 after the ADR. So it wasn't set in order to minimize wait time, but the unintended consequences is that it does. Looking at BOG, followed by PPF, Haunted Mansion, Hall of Pres, Muppets show, Liberty Bell river, then sleepy hollow Refreshments before leaving around noon, getting to HS and meeting Sorcerer Mickey around 1 pm.

 

[nduckles]

The ADR was booked bc lunch wasn't available...at the time...for 7 people. When we saw the 9am opening, it simply helped with moving PPF from non-FP day on 23 to 29 after the ADR. So it wasn't set in order to minimize wait time, but the unintended consequences is that it does. Looking at BOG, followed by PPF, Haunted Mansion, Hall of Pres, Muppets show, Liberty Bell river, then sleepy hollow Refreshments before leaving around noon, getting to HS and meeting Sorcerer Mickey around 1 pm.

Yes indeed, it's a great plan and hopefully it'll work well for you. All we're saying is that if Disney changes the opening hour, it will mess with those unintended consequences. If it's not a big deal and you can remain flexible, then you're good to go. Judging by a previous post, on the Thursday a week after Thanksgiving last year, the park opened earlier than originally planned, but they might not this year. These days the only way you can schedule a breakfast and KNOW that they won't change the hours on you is if you schedule an Early Morning Magic event. Unfortunately, I don't think those are out for November (I don't even know if they go year round). But then you can't experience BOG, that's true.

Edited to add: I guess the MK EMM is only Sundays and Tuesdays in November. Never mind.

 

[kpd6901]

Yes indeed, it's a great plan and hopefully it'll work well for you. All we're saying is that if Disney changes the opening hour, it will mess with those unintended consequences. If it's not a big deal and you can remain flexible, then you're good to go. Judging by a previous post, on the Thursday a week after Thanksgiving last year, the park opened earlier than originally planned, but they might not this year. These days the only way you can schedule a breakfast and KNOW that they won't change the hours on you is if you schedule an Early Morning Magic event. Unfortunately, I don't think those are out for November (I don't even know if they go year round). But then you can't experience BOG, that's true.

Edited to add: I guess the MK EMM is only Sundays and Tuesdays in November. Never mind.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I assume that on the 29th, if hours change to earlier and the 8:05 BOG loses the advantage of shorter morning lines, then we would need to look at dropping either PPF or HM from this morning in order to fit the other things in. As I mentioned earlier about the opening show, we could see it the next day, 30, since it is Adventure/Frontierland day, and those are not included in EMH. If we slide PPF to emh30, I assume that HM line at 9 with an 8am RD would be longer, but not excessively long. Right?

 

[nduckles]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I assume that on the 29th, if hours change to earlier and the 8:05 BOG loses the advantage of shorter morning lines, then we would need to look at dropping either PPF or HM from this morning in order to fit the other things in. As I mentioned earlier about the opening show, we could see it the next day, 30, since it is Adventure/Frontierland day, and those are not included in EMH. If we slide PPF to emh30, I assume that HM line at 9 with an 8am RD would be longer, but not excessively long. Right?

I would agree with that. If you're going to HM right at 9:00 before the off-site visitors get back there, I doubt HM will be crazy busy. And at 9:00 I would predict that most EMH people are heading to BTMR or Splash anyway. (I hope i'm reading your question correctly.) The other thing you can consider, and some might say this is a BAD idea, is that IF they change the 29th to an 8:00 opening you can get there early, get into the park towards Fantasyland, and when they drop the ropes, run to PPF and ride it BEFORE your BOG breakfast, since I've found you can show up 15 min late to an ADR. But that would stress me out, especially if you're not sure you can get 7 people there early enough.

 

[kpd6901]

I would agree with that. If you're going to HM right at 9:00 before the off-site visitors get back there, I doubt HM will be crazy busy. And at 9:00 I would predict that most EMH people are heading to BTMR or Splash anyway. (I hope i'm reading your question correctly.) The other thing you can consider, and some might say this is a BAD idea, is that IF they change the 29th to an 8:00 opening you can get there early, get into the park towards Fantasyland, and when they drop the ropes, run to PPF and ride it BEFORE your BOG breakfast, since I've found you can show up 15 min late to an ADR. But that would stress me out, especially if you're not sure you can get 7 people there early enough.

That thought about PPF right before BOG crossed my mind for a split second. Then, knowing my luck, that would be the one day that PPF malfunctions mid-ride, leaving us stuck for a while, then we miss BOG altogether.

 

[Robo]

I've found you can show up 15 min late to an ADR. But that would stress me out, especially if you're not sure you can get 7 people there early enough.

There is really no set time that guests can arrive late for an ADR.

(That "15 minutes late to an ADR" line gets posted and reposted so often that it has become
a well-known -if not necessarily factual- Disney Legend.)

Can you imagine the outcry from the hapless guest who has been stuck on a faulty monorail for half an hour
if the the CM/Host said, "You're 17 minutes late. No soup for YOU!"

So very many guests are late to ADRs due to any number of delays at WDW that, unless the restaurant is severely over-booked that day, late-arrivers (within reason) will nearly always be seated.
The time that they may be seated, however, will be at the discretion of the CM/Host at the restaurant and the number of other parties already waiting.

 

[nduckles]

There is really no set time that guests can arrive late for an ADR.

(That "15 minutes late to an ADR" line gets posted and reposted so often that it has become
a well-known -if not necessarily factual- Disney Legend.)

Can you imagine the outcry from the hapless guest who has been stuck on a faulty monorail for half an hour
if the the CM/Host said, "You're 17 minutes late. No soup for YOU!"

So very many guests are late to ADRs due to any number of delays at WDW that, unless the restaurant is severely over-booked that day, late-arrivers (within reason) will nearly always be seated.
The time that they may be seated, however, will be at the discretion of the CM/Host at the restaurant and the number of other parties already waiting.

Thank you for clearing that up!! The other thing is that BOG breakfast is so crazy anyway....people show up early for their reservations in case they get lucky and can eat and get into the parks faster, people cancel when they find out the park hours have changed, you can preorder food on line so it's a faster process......i would say go ahead and ride PPF first and then wander over to breakfast after that if indeed the park ends up being open at 8 that day. The chance of you getting stuck on PPF and not getting to experience BOG is just so very low. (Of course, if that could happen to anyone it would be me.)